Archived Topic
Topic ID 365
01/12/2004 by wingnut
Disability act
Walking through Hertford tonight, having discussed changes to my place of work in the light of the disability act I was struck at the number of premises that seem not to have taken any notice..the newsagent where I work in London has installed a ramp..little evidence in Hertford.
http://www.drc-gb.org/askdrc/category/show.asp?id=254
Any views?
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 2639
02/12/2004 by 01-mike
Have had the same thoughts myself, working in retail myself for a very large company its been a right pain to modify certain stores, although the staff training on the Dissabilty and discrimination act has been the hardest part (not a good time of year to have staff off of the shop floor) I have seen a number of shops that to my knowledge would not meet the guidelines, however I was not sure if all shops had to meet the same guidelines. The only info I have read on the matter was a re-written company specific letter! Having briefly looked at your link it seems my asumption was correct. I expect as usual there are a lot of loop holes for the intelligent money saving shop owner to exploit.
Reply ID 2641
02/12/2004 by CityBird
They are not only excluding the disabled, there are many shops in Hertford that are impossible to access if you have a pushchair. But I view it as their loss because these shops are cutting out a significant proportion of the population and losing business.
Reply ID 2647
02/12/2004 by Ewoowar
Wiggintons has a sign on their front door stating that they are happy to help anyone who needs assistance. I believe the childrens clothes shop has this too.
Whil I am not too familiar with the legislation I would be very surprised if it forced small shop owners to make very costly changes to their properties, particularly if they are listed.
Reply ID 2652
02/12/2004 by wingnut
Yes but a ramp won't break the bank!! and should people have to rely on others to help?
Reply ID 2657
02/12/2004 by wizkid
If wheelchair bound people were consulted in the planning stage of various projects, modifications could be made which could eliminate lack of accessibility due to thoughtlessness.
Reply ID 2659
02/12/2004 by JohnSmith
Thing is Wiggintons' and many others shop in Hertford were built a few years before there was any thought of a disability act. Asking them to make modifications may not be practical.
Reply ID 2664
02/12/2004 by Ewoowar
Thanks John, exactly my point. We live in a town blessed with mediaeval architecture. Some of these buildings can be adapted and some quite simply cannot, realistically. The Wiggintons with the sign on the door has high steps and a narrow entrance straight off of the street. It would require a ramp installed a 45 degrees.
Reply ID 2672
02/12/2004 by jez_p
quote:
Originally posted by Ewoowar
Thanks John, exactly my point. We live in a town blessed with mediaeval architecture. Some of these buildings can be adapted and some quite simply cannot, realistically. The Wiggintons with the sign on the door has high steps and a narrow entrance straight off of the street. It would require a ramp installed a 45 degrees.
I suspect that the planners may have issues with wiggingtons installing any modifications to their shop frontages like that.
What about the antiques shop? Modify that if you can
Anyway doesn't the law state reasonably practical.
Reply ID 2676
03/12/2004 by Ewoowar
It looks like it. It also mentions the 'service provider' (shop owner) potentially having to take goods to customers homes.....
Reply ID 2684
03/12/2004 by sloopjohnb
Not particularly PC but a building society premises manager explained to me that it is sometimes cheaper to relocate than to modify. When I ran a retail establishment I had a ramp to help get the sack barrows over a couple of large steps. It came in very useful for steam prams and wheelchairs and I would suspect a lot less cheaper than rebuilding your shopfront.
Reply ID 2703
04/12/2004 by jez_p
What about Blind People and Deaf People surely you need to modify your shop to acommodate them too.
Reply ID 2764
06/12/2004 by 01-mike
to my knowledge good customer service is enough to help the blind/deaf, so therefore you would only be in trouble if you were having complaints made against you.
12 replies